David Montgomery has traits that could lead to NFL stardom. That's not hyperbole. That's exactly what one of the smartest analysts covering the NFL has to say about the Chicago Bears rookie.

Former NFL and Iowa Hawkeye safety Matt Bowen, now one of the sport's go-to evaluators, was the one who told me that on Monday night.

When Matt speaks ... I take notes.

“He’s going to thrive in the offense, and people will say 'wow,'” Bowen said of the Iowa State great. ”His game will transition to the pro game. Fit and opportunity is everything. David’s opportunity will be there, both in run and pass game. His fit is there, because that’s what he did so well in college.

“This is what the Bears were looking for.”

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery works on the field during an NFL football training camp in Bourbonnais, Illinois, on Saturday, July 27, 2019.(Photo: Nam Huh / AP)

Iowa State’s most recent consecutive 1,000-yard running back gets his first crack against someone other than an elite Bears defense in Thursday’s exhibition against Carolina.

“David Montgomery has a lot of pro traits that will transition quickly,” said Bowen, who covers the NFL for ESPN. “People will see that when he gets on football field. He’s got very quick short speed bursts. His contact balance is excellent. He’s been good in the passing game.

“Here’s one thing to his advantage — he's been going against the Bears defense every day in practice — and that’s a top-five defense. He has to see them every day, and he’s competing very favorably.

“David’s turned heads. His camp reports are very good. I’m anxious to see him in the preseason.”

This seems an appropriate time to bring up something else — that Campbell isn’t getting enough credit for Montgomery’s eye-opening preseason. Head football coaches rarely do when one of their players goes on to do big things after college.

In this case, however, where would the Bears’ third-round draft choice be if Iowa State didn’t run a pro-oriented offense, and if Campbell’s coaching staff didn’t find a successful way to showcase not only Montgomery, but also highlight-reel receiver Hakeem Butler?

The fact that Montgomery is in a position to become a household name in the country's biggest sport is a major win for Campbell and a major endorsement on the program he operates. Makes recruiting top running backs a bit easier, you'd think.

“What coach Campbell runs at Iowa State — that scheme transitions more and more to the NFL,” Bowen said. “And tempo — we don’t talk about that enough, but tempo is a game-changer. Iowa State plays with tempo. The Chicago Bears play with tempo.”

All this is pertinent as the Bears near Thursday’s first preseason game — against Carolina. It’s relevant, as Montgomery continues to get praise.

"Nothing is going to change from what we saw on tape at Iowa State," Bears coach Matt Nagy told reporters. "He has some of the best vision that I've seen in a long time. He feels where the defenders are before they show up.

"The defenders in this league are a little bit bigger, they're a little bit faster and they hit a little bit harder. The one thing he did in his college career was he protected that football. That's what he's going to have to continue to focus on. I know that he'll do that."

Montgomery is contending with Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis for touches. At 5-foot-6 and 181 pounds, Cohen is an incredible offensive weapon ... but not someone you hand the ball off to 20 times a game. Davis, a Bears free-agent acquisition during the off-season, is a four-season NFL veteran who, at 26 years old, is part rusher, part receiver and part blocker.

Even in a talented backfield, the expectation is that Montgomery should demand quite a few touches of his own.

“There’s always an extra player, defensive player that’s unaccountable, and as pro running back, you have to make him miss,” Bowen said. “You have to shake him or run through contact. David Montgomery can do both.”

It was the junior’s best game, rushing 29 times for 189 yards. He made defenders miss in the open field. He ran over those he couldn’t shake. His cuts were perfect, His vision was uncanny, and his balance?

“Wow,” Bowen said.

“He had the quickest cuts I’ve seen from a college player in a long time in that game,” Bowen said. “He absorbed contact with his low center of gravity He tacked on extra yards.”

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Running back David Montgomery of Iowa State speaks to the media during day one of interviews at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) can't make it into the end zone to convert a two point conversion and tie the game during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State would go on to win 28-26. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) tries to dive into the end zone during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State would go on to win 28-26. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) catches a pass during the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in San Antonio. Washington State takes a 21-10 lead over Iowa State into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is hit by Washington State defensive back Hunter Dale (26) and another defender, partially obscure, during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 27: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks away from linebacker Dakota Allen #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders while rising for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 40-31 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) Getty Images

Iowa State's David Montgomery does his favorite Fortnight dance in response to an audience question during the PRIMESPORT Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery speaks to members of the press during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery looks over at Brian Peavy as he speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in San Antonio. Iowa State takes on Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Drake defensive back Alex Rogers (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Drake defenders Zac Rujawitz (54) and Connor Willis (37) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery tries to break a tackle by Drake linebacker Connor Willis, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) scores on an 18-yard touchdown reception ahead of Kansas State defensive back Kevion McGee (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 42-38. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) scores a touchdown past Texas linebacker Gary Johnson (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, front left, runs the ball as he is tackled by Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston, right, during the first half Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Ames. Matthew Putney, AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery walks off the field after a play during the first half Nov. 10, 2018, vs. Baylor in Ames. Montgomery was ejected for fighting in the second half. Matthew Putney/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, front left, runs the ball as he is tackled by Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Ames. Matthew Putney/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Kansas linebacker Denzel Feaster (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Orlin Wagner/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Kansas defensive end Brian Lipscomb, back, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Orlin Wagner/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall, AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Texas Tech defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks a tackle by Texas Tech defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Charlie Neibergall, AP

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, in Ames, Iowa. This season, four Big 12 backs are averaging at least 100 yards rushing per game in conference action. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) looks to pass as he gets a block from teammate David Montgomery (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from West Virginia cornerback Hakeem Bailey (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) looks for some running room in the first half of a NCAA college football game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) takes the hand off from quarterback Zeb Noland (4) in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) breaks up the middle of the TCU defense in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Akron cornerback Kyron Brown (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is pushed out of bounds by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) dives over Akron linebacker Brian Bell (10) for a one-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Akron cornerback Kyron Brown (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, center, tackles Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game,in Iowa City, Iowa. The 18th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) haven’t been the dominant team everyone expected them to be and, following their home loss to BYU, are looking to reset the season in their Big Ten opener against Iowa. Iowa (3-0) has been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the nation. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File) The Associated Press

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates his touchdown during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is pushed out of bounds by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Oklahoma's Parnell Motley (11) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) dives into the end zone during their football game against Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma would go on to win 37-27. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) jumps over the line during their football game against Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Ames. Oklahoma takes a 24-10 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) gets stopped by Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa (94) during the Cy-Hawk NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs the ball as Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia makes the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) gets taken down by South Dakota State linebacker Dalton Cox (53) Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during their game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, is tackled by Iowa linebacker Djimon Colbert during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 13-3. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney) The Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is face masked by Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback A.J. Green (4) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State running back David Montgomery leaps into the end zone to give the Cyclones a 24-0 lead at halftime over Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) dives in for a touchdown to put the Cyclones back up 41-34 during the second half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Oklahoma State would go on to win 49-42. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled during the first half of their football game against Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates his touchdown putting the Cyclones up 13-6 during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) runs around Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jarrell Owens (93) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) hands off to sophmore running back David Montgomery (32) during their football game against Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Iowa senior defensive back Miles Taylor (19) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery poses for a photo during the Iowa State football team media day at Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility on the Iowa State campus in Ames on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs from TCU defenders Travin Howard (32), Ty Summers (42) and Chris Bradley (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery leads the Big 12 with eight rushing touchdowns and is the second-leading rusher with 716 yards. Iowa State plays at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) The Associated Press

In this Oct. 15, 2016, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, in Austin, Texas. Montgomery averaged 5.2 yards per carry and closed the season with 141 yards against West Virginia. Michael Thomas, AP

“Coach Nagy is very creative play-caller,” Bowen said. “All three backs will be utilized. They’ll all get touches. By midseason, I think David has the traits, if he stays healthy, to be the guy that gives them the most touches on week-to-week basis.”

Randy Peterson is the Iowa State columnist for the Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at Des Moines Register.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.